48762 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I am seriously considering a run of "Fan Hub Conversions". I have a CNC house lined up to make the aluminum hub and steel shaft, and I have sealed ball bearings lined up as well. My intent would be to provide this as a kit. The hub the shaft and the bearings. The user would need to drill the (8) fan mounting holes in the aluminum flange, press the bearings in and press the shaft in. The user would use his old hub and fan. It looks like I would be right at or very close to $160 each plus shipping. What I am trying to gauge is how many people would be interested in buying one as I will need to make a run of 50 sets or so. So please speak up if in fact you would be interested in one of these. Note that Bob's Automobilia is out of stock and not clear if they can get any more. Thanks Tom Dierks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Tom, You might mention what years and models it will fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48762 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Correct this fits all 1925 thru 1929 and 1930 model 40 50 60. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Tom, Add me to the list please. I would like to upgrade mine. I have a 25-25. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48762 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Looks like I may have jumped the gun. My further research shows that this kit may only be good for 1925-1926 Master and 1927 series 120-128. If anyone has further interchangeability for these please feel free to weigh in. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Tom, It sure looks like Standard and Master share the fan hub starting in 1925. If you have any dimensions that you want me to provide from my 25 standard, let me know. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Tom, If it will fit a 1925 Model 25A Standard you can add me to the list. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48762 Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 So I need help from members with 1925 to 1932 cars. In trying to come up with something of a universal kit for the conversion of the fan hub to sealed bearings. I need help in confirming the dimensions of the various versions out there. This is what I need for all 1925 to 1932 cars, Just tell me the year and model and the dimensions below. SHAFT: overall length length of shaft- distance to center of groove from the rear end of the shaft- diameter of shaft- PULLEY: overall length of pulley piece- diameter of the pulley where the leather belt would ride- diameter of the pulley body for V belt versions (not the V groove)- width of pulley where the leather belt would ride- location from the flange end to first lip of pulley for leather belt style- location from the flange end to center of V belt groove- It looks as if possibly one body with bearings could be designed to fit all of these applications, and possibly one universal shaft could be engineered also. But need the data to put into my spread sheet. So if anyone has these kicking around or on the car please take some measurements and let me know what you have. Thanks very much. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 I'd be interested myself in one if it fits my 1929. Tony Bult in Wisconsin has done this conversion previously. He specializes in 27-29 Buicks so it may be worthwhile to contact him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradsan Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 (edited) Tom I've already done the conversion but can offer some tips. I think!!! 1925 is the oddball part of course. Hugh's part listing is for the hub only which I think is actually for the innards part you are replacing . The parts book also lists the fan shaft ( 1925 Std has its own single listing due to a different fan bracket) separately and there are only 8 shaft listings covering 1925 to 1932 so your spreadsheet won't be that big! The fan driven pulley which is what we are calling the hub or outer casing has many more options but shouldn't be relevant to what you are making as long as the owner has the original pulley. In other words, I think you just need to collect relevant fan shaft measurements. I think the more important measurement is from the front of the shaft ( gear end) to the centre of the groove and opposed to the measurement you are seeking. Your circlip or retainer at the front of the shaft where the gear is will be the same for all shafts. Assuming all hubs ( guts) are the same, what locates the outer pulley is distance from the front circlip retainer to the groove in the shaft. Anything hanging past the groove towards the engine just sticks through the bracket and really isn't relevant. Warning when drilling the 8 holes in the hub that they are not evenly spaced. It is designed to fit one way only ! Ask me how I know! Photos attached showing some difference between 1925 and 1926 Std. I would send you some measurements but, as you can see, after I was done , the shaft came in handy as punch for getting something else apart! Brad Edited August 26, 2017 by bradsan (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 That '25 shaft looks like a '31 too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Tom, The hub shaft from my 31, 60 series, measures 4.790 overall. From the gear face to the middle of the groove 4.000 and .790 from the middle of the groove to the end. My measuring is not the best so use it as an approximation. I would not need one at this point, a great guy on this forum fixed me up. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) I put together a drawing of my fan hub parts and the hub parts that I need to have made. Buick made a lot of subtle changes to these hubs, although they are all basically the same. These are done in Powerpoint if anyone wants a copy to edit. I do know that you can order these hubs from Tony Bult. If you have any data for me to update and add to these, I can. I also included what I started with from Bryan Stanley. The 30-31 Buick Fan hub is slightly different from the early hubs. Included is also the listing of shafts and driving pulley as Brad suggested. This should get you started on your fan hub replacement project. Hugh Edited September 11, 2019 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sligermachine Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 On 8/26/2017 at 1:16 PM, bradsan said: 1925 is the oddball part of course. Hugh's part listing is for the hub only which I think is actually for the innards part you are replacing HUBS WILL BE MADE . I will set down and make a few Hues drawing is grate any one else have a odd size that will need some thing close I will start in a week or 2 from now . I have 7 or 8 hubs in my shop now off of 24 to 1927's to look at now . time to add some if you want some --kyle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
century37 Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Just to let everyone know I make the fan hub assemblies for the 31/32/33 Buicks and used billet aluminum, stainless steel shaft and sealed bearings. I also make the water pump shaft nut with a modern neoprene seal imbedded into the nut. I'm in PA. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sligermachine Posted April 4, 2018 Share Posted April 4, 2018 On 3/18/2018 at 1:29 PM, Hubert_25-25 said: I put together a drawing of my fan hub parts and the hub parts that I need to have made. Buick made a lot of subtle changes to these hubs, although they are all basically the same. These are done in Powerpoint if anyone wants a copy to edit. I do know that you can order these hubs from Tony Bult. If you have any data for me to update and add to these, I can. I also included what I started with from Bryan Stanley. The 30-31 Buick Fan hub is slightly different from the early hubs. Included is also the listing of shafts and driving pulley as Brad suggested. Hugh so lets start here - kyle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 (edited) I am Currently working on a 1927 Buick Master. I had all intentions of making another aluminum hub with sealed bearings for the fan hub. So much so that I have updated my drawings with the dimensions so a person can make these hubs for a Standard or a Master. By the time I got into the cost of the aluminum and the machining, and the fact that the thing that I only really needed was to replace the felt seal with a modern lip seal, that is what I did. For Mid to late 20's Buick Master or Standard, the lip seal that you want is 19mm x 26mm x 5.5mm You can find these on Ebay for around $12. Look for a seal with the internal spring. I did rough up the outer side of the lip seal using coarse sandpaper. I cleaned the area with lacquer thinner where the lip seal replaces the felt seal inside the fan hub I used silicone to adhere the seal into the place where the felt seal was. Others have used black RTV sealant. I used a deep socket to hold the seal in place for 24 hours to let the adhesive dry. I made two new 1/64" paper gaskets for the fan hub. You can see the lip seal inside the back end of the fan hub housing. I filled it with oil and everything looks great. A big improvement over felt. Hugh Edited April 26 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickTom87 Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 I gotta do this on my 29, I have put it on the back burner but I think it’s time To do it now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 With the sealed bearings you don't need that oil seal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 (edited) If it will not be a tour car the lip seal should last a long time if the bearing surfaces are not that sloppy. Since I drive my 1925s I wanted the sealed units. It is a lot of work to do these! I made 3 so far. Just the amount of aluminum scrap generated turning down the hub core is intimidating. Edited April 27 by dibarlaw spelling (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickTom87 Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 33 minutes ago, dibarlaw said: If will not be a tour car the lip seal should last a long time if the bearing surfaces are not that sloppy. Since I drive my 1925s I wanted the sealed units. It is a lot of work to do these! I made 3 so far. Just the amount of aluminum scrap generated turning down the hub core is intimidating. Would this work with a 29 standard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Tom: I am sure that the 29 has a different inside diameter but the design would be similar. These retrofit units have been done for all years of Buick fan hubs. Page 159-160 in "BUICK TECHNICAL TIPS" Tech articles from the Buick Bugle show how this is done and illustration shows V belt design as well as the flat belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickTom87 Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Ok, I’ll order the one that bobs has . Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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